Areas of Study
GPES

Environmental Systems and Risk Management

Participating Faculty:

BEIER, DIEMONT, ENDRENY, C.HALL, M. HALL, JOHNSON, KROLL, LUZADIS, MORAN, MOUNTRAKIS, NAKATSUGAWA, NORDENSTAM, TEECE, VOLK

The environmental systems and risk management study area focuses on problems in environmental and natural resource policy in which technical issues are of central importance. The program is designed for graduate students with a science or engineering background. Current research includes: urban ecology, spatial model construction, use of renewable materials in structures and processes, biomass energy production, ecosystems modeling, development of model assessment and selection criteria, environmental risk assessment, use of technical information by regulatory agencies, land use forecasting for public policy decision making, water resources assessment and planning, and aspects of industrial ecology supporting sustainable resource use and allocation. The environmental systems and risk management area of study provides a unique opportunity to study interdisciplinary problems. Specific course work in environmental systems and risk management is supplemented by traditional disciplinary course work in engineering or the natural sciences and policy analysis.

Water and Wetland Resource Studies

Participating Faculty:

ENDRENY, J.M. HASSETT, KROLL, LIMBURG, MANNO, MITCHELL, MORAN, SMARDON, STELLA

The water and wetland resources area of study develops an understanding of technical, social and institutional aspects of water resources management, mitigation and restoration. Individual students may emphasize scientific or social subject areas but all study in both areas. Scientific aspects include the basic physical, chemical and biological interactions occurring in water resources systems. The social aspects are concerned with planning, regulation, law and institutions and management of water and wetland resources. Water serves as a focus for graduate study in water and related land resources management and water pollution and water quality control. Recommended course work includes: (1) physical sciences: civil engineering, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, meteorology, environmental engineering, soils, water chemistry, hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry and geographic information systems; (2) biological sciences: ecology, entomology, fishery biology, forestry, microbiology, water quality and limnology; and (3) social sciences: administration, economics, government, history, law, ethics, philosophy and policy.

Environmental and Community Land Planning

Participating Faculty:

BRYANT, CARTER, DIEMONT, DOBLE, HAWKS, M. HALL, MORAN, MOUNTRAKIS, SCHUSTER, SHANNON

Environmental and community planning is concerned with orderly, efficient, equitable and aesthetic development of land with special concern for (1) the state of the natural environment, (2) the physical character of communities, and (3) decision making at state, county and local levels of government. Planning balances competing demands on land and environment brought about by expanding urban and rural development, and enhancing viable natural and cultural resources is an important planning perspective. Another perspective involves the guiding of private and public development processes within a pluralistic political environment in order to promote sustainable communities while at the same time respecting fiscal, environmental and legal constraints.

The program is designed for students with social science, natural science, engineering, or design backgrounds who are interested in an interdisciplinary and integrative program. Some students have majors in interdisciplinary programs in urban studies or environmental studies. Students develop an understanding and knowledge of development processes, natural systems and governmental planning and regulation. They develop a capacity to analyze environmental and community land planning problems and to form imaginative solutions. Skills obtained include preparation of land and environmental databases, plans, policies and implementation programs.

Environmental Communication and Participatory Processes

Participating Faculty:

KUEHN, LAWLER, MEISNER, MORAN, SENECAH, WHITMORE

This study area addresses the communicative dynamics of attitudinal formation. Decisionmaking, public policy, public participation, campaign development, organizational effectiveness, conflict prevention and resolution, which all hinge on the ability of participants to communicate and use information effectively, strategically and ethically. GPES students with this option will be prepared to enter diverse arenas of industry, nongovernment organizations and government structures well equipped to effectively facilitate and participate in effective interactions among individual citizens, nongovernment organizations, publics, agencies, bureaucracies, scientists and others. They will have in their toolboxes the skills and understandings that will allow them to choose the more appropriate and effective process structures and strategies to reach objectives.

Environmental Policy and Democratic Processes (M.S. or M.P.S. only)

Participating Faculty:

LUZADIS, MANNO, MEISNER, MORAN, NORDENSTAM, SENECAH, SMARDON, SONNENFELD

The environmental policy and democratic processes study area addresses problems of environmental decision making at a time of rapid institutional and social change. How our society can best meet the growing challenges of environmental stewardship through mandated and voluntary public participation in decision making is the central question. This concern is increasingly important to many segments of modern society, and we intend that students acquiring knowledge in this study area will be prepared to contribute positively to these processes in career pursuits.

The focus of this study area is on developing new understanding of public participation in environmental decision making, against the backdrop of environmental policymaking and program implementation. Particular attention is given to (a) the variety of organizations involved in participation, which generally are the institutions and agencies of government, citizen-based non-governmental organizations and the business or industrial sector, (b) the availability and utility of environmental information for these groups, and (c) the participation and integration of all informed stakeholders into environmental decision making. This tripartite scheme of organizations, information and participation frames student programs of study, and suggests important directions for student and faculty research efforts.

The study area advances understanding of these questions of participatory democracy for environmental decision making through research and instruction, and is particularly suited to inquisitive students with degrees in environmental studies, political science, geography, engineering and other fields that provide interdisciplinary backgrounds in natural and social science.

Additional Graduate Area of Study :

Environmental and Natural Resources Policy (Ph.D. only)

Students admitted to this area of study can earn their degree through the graduate program in either the Graduate Program in Environmental Science or the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management. For applications in policy, potential major professors include:

Participating Faculty:
GERMAIN, LUZADIS, MALMSHEIMER, MANNO, MORAN, NORDENSTAM, SENECAH,  SMARDON, SONNENFELD, WAGNER

• ENRP Handbook—PDF, Word 

The environmental and natural resources policy area includes professional and scientific studies regarding how society makes and implements decisions regarding its environmental and natural resources. Faculty members are conducting studies on sustainability, ecological economics and global policy implications, environmental justice, watershed and wetland management policy and the revision/evaluation of environmental policies affecting government, nongovernment and partnerships; at international, national, state and local levels of application.

Doctoral studies are done in close collaboration with the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management and have common requirements:

• Natural science: 12 credit hours
• Methods: 12 credit hours
• Policy-related social science: 12 credit hours
• Core E/NR policy courses: 12 credit hours

More details are available in the handbook for doctoral students in environmental and natural resources policy, which can be obtained in either the Department of Environmental Studies or the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management office.

Policy graduates find job opportunities with government, consulting firms, not-for-profit organizations, advocacy groups and academic institutions. Graduates often begin their careers as policy or program analysts. Ph.D.'s in the Graduate Program in Environmental Science are leaders in government, legislatures, corporations, consulting firms and nongovernment associations throughout the world.